SEE MY WORLD: Living Archives 002
Schedule
Sat Mar 28 2026 at 11:30 am to 02:00 pm
UTC+00:00Location
Manchester Central Library | Manchester, EN
records from Pan-African collections held at Central Library.
About this Event
Delivered in partnership with the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre & Education Trust as part of See My World: A Series of Pan-African Experiences.
About the workshop
This session builds on our previous introduction to oral history shifting focus to physical and everyday archive material, offering participants hands-on experience in archival practices.
Participants will handle and examine real examples of ephemera, including:
- Photographs
- Flyers and programmes
- Letters and press releases
- Annotated working document
- Short oral history extracts
This workshop will prepare participants for the next session, where they will create and begin documenting their own material with the intention of building a living, community-led archive.
What you’ll learn
- What counts as archival material beyond formal institutions
- Practice close observation and description
- Learn the basics of metadata and catalog writing
- Consent, storage and long-term preservation
- Reflect on what you can archive from your own lives or community
What to expect
- Hands-on activities and discussion
- Introduction to archive practice through doing rather than lecturing
- Guidance from experienced community archivists
- Space to reflect on your own stories and those around you
- Insight into the Pan-African collections held at Manchester Central Library
Who’s it for
- Community members
- Emerging researchers or heritage practitioners
- Creatives and artists
- Anyone curious about preserving memory and culture
No prior experience required
Breakfast will be provided from 11.30AM
Practical information
Venue: Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre, Manchester Central Library
Date: Saturday 28th March 2026
Time: 11:30 - 14:00
Capacity: Limited places available
Cost: Free, Travel expenses provided. Refreshments will be provided.
What to bring: Yourself, a notebook, and a pen
Age: Suitable for ages 16+
Why archiving is needed
Many community stories risk being lost - not because they lack value, but because they’re rarely recorded or protected. This workshop is about keeping those stories alive, ensuring they are remembered, respected, and accessible for future generations.
This workshop is produced by Big People community CIC & Big People Music in partnership with the The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Centre and Education Trust.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund
Where is it happening?
Manchester Central Library, St Peter's Square, Manchester, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 0.00
